Automatic scullery apparatus



Dec. 16, 1969 E. I. NASLUND 3,483,877

AUTOMATIC SCULLERY APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ERIK I. NASLUND ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1969 E- I. NASLUND 3,433,877

AUTOMATIC SCULLERY APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1967 TI B 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 43 fig- I N VENTOR.

ERIK 1. NASLUND AT TORNE Y Dec. 16, 1969 5.1. NASLUND 3,483,877

AUTOMAT I C SCULLERY APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 7F 1 E B 29 52 5'5 24 22 3 f 2o- Q "54 FIE E INVENTOR. ERIK 1. NASLUND AT TORNE Y E. I. NASLUND AUTOMATIC SGULLERY APPARATUS Dec. 16, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6, 1967 'F'IEI IZ INVENTOR. ERIK 1. NASLUND ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1969 E. 1. NASLUND AUTOMATIC SCULLERY APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 6, 1967 INVENTOR. ERIK I NASLUND Z [a Q a ATTORNEY WH m-HIWHI 3,483,877 AUTOMATIC SCULLERY APPARATUS Erik I. Naslund, Santa Clara, Calif., assignor to FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calitl, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 628,957 Int. Cl. B08 3/00 US. Cl. 134-127 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic scullery system and individual components thereof comprising a weight sorter which separates heavy flatware and tableware from light plasticware and debris by using an overflowing tank of water; a flatware sorter that utilizes two perpendicularly arranged and spaced conveyors to separate the flatware from larger tableware items; a debris sorter which utilizes two inclined perpendicular belts, one of which is of a wire mesh and is spaced below the second belt; a size sorter which uses fixed diverters or cams that overlie a conveying surface to divert plasticware items off the conveying surface according to their respective sizes and shapes; and a plasticware washer which comprises a pair of vertically spaced horizontal belts the lower of which carrys the plasticware through a plurality of high velocity sprays causing the plasticware to be vigorously tumbled and thence onto a plurality of overlapping and inclined end less belts wherein the plasticware passes through a plu rality of lower velocity rinsing sprays and thence through a dryer to a discharge zone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The respective fields of the inventions are automatic scullery systems, sorters, and dish washers.

Description of the prior art The prior art systems of which applicant is aware are directed primarily to handling breakable, heavy tableware, which particularly when being Washed must be stacked and held against movement.

SUMMARY Applicants invention is directed to overcoming the of the fact that most of the debris napkins, wrapping 4 paper, food items etc., are of a weight light enough to be removed with the plasticware and to be later removed from the plasticware prior to the final sorting or washing operation.

The light plastic-ware and debris are removed from the heavy flatware and heavy tableware after being dropped into a tank of circulating water. The water is circulated over a barrier or weir, which divides the tank into two sections, so that the light items pass over the weir with the water while the heavier items drop to the bottom of the tank. Conveyors remove the separated items from each half of the tank.

The debris sorter takes advantage of the fact that the debris is wet and generally has an uneven surface so that it will cling to an inclined wire mesh belt whereas the smooth hard plasticware slides toward one edge of the belt. The plasticware is retained by a barrier belt that is nited States Patent 0 M: 3,483,877 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 spaced from the wire mesh conveyor belt a distance sufficient to permit slidable debris to slip off the wire mesh belt and be discarded.

The size sorter is a simple and inexpensive apparatus which utilizes the size and shape of the plasticware to deflect it off a belt at predetermined locations. An upstream diagonally disposed barrier is spaced vertically above a conveying belt to permit passage of the shorter items, such as plates and saucers, which are then deflected by a downstream barrier that is also diagonally disposed across the conveying surface. Both the upstream and downstream barriers deflect intercepted plasticware off the conveying surface in each case with the plasticware having the largest dimension perpendicular to the barrier being urged otf first.

The washer takes advantage of the lightness and unbreakable nature of the plasticware to obtain effective cleansing in the shortest possible time by directing high velocity sprays at the plasticware from otfset nozzles that cause the plasticware to be vigorously tumbled and thrown about in the washer. This, of course, exposes all areas of the plasticware to the high velocity sprays in the shortest possible time. The unbreakable nature of the plasticware is again utilized in the rinsing sections of the washer where high volumes of water are used and the plasticware is occasionally tumbled to expose all its surfaces.

The drying section of the washer may or may not be used depending on whether sufficient time is available for air drying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1A is a schematic perspective that shows a portion of an automatic scullery system.

FIGURE 1B is a schematic perspective that shows a second portion of an automatic scullery system. This portion is joined with the first portion along the indicated breaklines.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged schematic plan of the weight sorter.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse section of the weight sorter taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the weight sorter taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is also a vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of a portion of the automatic scullery system showing the flatware sorter and debris sorter.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section of the flatware sorter taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical section of the debris sorter taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section downstream of the debris sorter and taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged plan of a portion of the automatic scullery system showing the size sorter.

FIGURE 11 is a vertical section of the size sorter taken along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is also a vertical section of the size sorter taken along the line 1212 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary section looking generally in the direction of the arrows 13-13 in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged, longitudinal vertical section of the washer.

FIGURE 15 is a vertical transverse section of the washer taken along the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a vertical transverse section taken along the lines 16-16 of FIGURE 14.

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As best shown in FIGURES 1A and 2-5 the weight sorter consists of a tank 27 divided into a heavy-item section 28 and a light-item section 29 by a center wall 30. The center wall is recessed to form a weir 31 for a purpose to be later described. In the heavy-item section is fastened an inclined screen 32 which overlies the lower end of an endless screen belt 33. In the light-item section is fastened an endless screen belt 34. Two vertical walls 35 and 36 separate the light-item section and the heavyitem section, respectively, into a circulation compartment 40. Water is introduced into the tank through a pipe 42 and fills the tank to about the level of the weir 31. An impeller 43 is mounted in the bottom of the tank and when rotated by a motor 44 creates a circulatory flow from the light-item section of the tank, through an opening 45 in the center wall 3!), upwardly through the inclined screen 32, and over the weir in the center wall. A curved baffle 46 assists in directing the flow upwardly as indicated by the arrow F. Debris and light plasticware are carried by the flow over the weir and are screened out of the water by the endless screen belt 34. Heavy items, such as flatware and heavy dishes, fall toward the bottom of the heavy-item section of the tank, slide 011' the inclined screen and are removed by the endless screen belt 33.

FLATWARE SORTER The flatware sorter 21 is best shown in FIGURES 1A, 6 and 7'. In the flatware sorter the heavy dishes and flatware are dropped from the endless screen belt 33 onto a smooth endless belt 47. The belt 47 is transversely inclined to permit the items to slide toward its lower longitudinal edge. An endless barrier belt 48 is entrained around guide pulleys 49 which position it at right angles to the smooth conveying belt. The barrier belt is spaced from the smooth conveying belt a distance which is larger than the width of the flatware to be sorted but is less than the diameter of the dishes. A typical spacing would be approximately 1% inches. Both belts are moved in the'direction of the arrow 50 and, consequently, as the dishes and flatware arrive on the smooth conveying belt they slide toward its lower edge with the flatware passing through the gap between the belts while the dishes rest against the barrier belt. The flatware and dishes are then carried through further treating apparatus, not shown.

DEBRIS SORTER The debris sorter 22 is best shown in FIGURES 1A, 6 and 8, and consist of an inclined wire mesh belt 52. The wire mesh belt may be of any conventional construction with the openings being large enough to snag rough surfaced debris but small enough to allow slippage of the smooth hard plasticware toward its lower edge. Adjacent the lower edge of the wire mesh belt is a guide belt 53 disposed at right angles thereto. The guide-belt is spaced from the wire mesh belt a distance less than the radii or half the width of the plasticware but great enough to allow hard debris items, such as small disposable dressing containers, small sticks and the like, to pass olf the wire mesh belt into a receptacle 54. A typical spacing is again about 1% inches. Plasticware and debris fall from the endless screen belt 34 onto the wire mesh belt 52. The

.4 debris which clings to the belt will be carried to a disposal apparatus, such as the grinder 55 (FIG. 1B). The debris that slides on the wire mesh belt will fall through the gap between the lower edge of the belt and the guide belt and into the receptacle. Plasticware will rest against the guide belt and be carried along in the direction of the arrow 56 where it passes off the end of the guide belt onto an inclined smooth conveying belt 57 (FIG. 9).

SIZE SORTER The size sorter 23 is best shown in FIGURES 1B and l0l3. The size sorter consists of the smooth conveying belt 57 shown in FIGURE 9 and upstream and downstream cam diverters 60 and 61, respectively. A longitudinal barrier 62 is provided along the lower longitudinal edge of the smooth conveying belt to prevent the plasticware from sliding from the belt. The upstream cam diverter is spaced above the smooth conveying belt 57 a distance just greater than the height of a relatively flat bowl, plate or saucer. A typical spacing would be 1 /2 inches. The upstream cam diverter is fastened for vertical adjustable movement by conventional clamps 63 and for transverse and diagonal adjustment by slotted brackets 64. The downstream cam barrier 61 is spaced closely to the surface of the smooth conveying belt to intercept all of the dishes passing under the upstream cam diverter and is adjustably mounted for vertical, diagonal and transverse adjustment by clamps 65 and slotted brackets 66. An inclined chute 68 is positioned adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of the smooth conveying belt and receives the plasticware deflected therefrom by the cam diverters.

As may be readily apparent the vertical height and diagonal position of each cam diverter is determined by the size and shape of the plasticware being sorted. At each location where a piece of plasticware is to be deflected off the smooth conveying belt the diverter is spaced from the edge of the belt a distance slightly less than the largest transverse dimension of the piece to be diverted. Additional diverters may also be employed if the plasticware consists of a large numberof different pieces. As the plasticware is carried along in the direction of the arrow 69 the highest pieces, such as cups and tumblers, are deflected by the cam diverter 60 ofl? the smooth conveying belt at different points along its length. The cups, as shown, are of greater diameter than the tumblers and will be deflected off the smooth conveying belt prior to the tumblers. Likewise, large dinner plates will be deflected by the downstream cam diverter 61 off the smooth conveying belt prior to the smaller diameter bowls.

WASHER As shown in FIGURE lB-the plasticware after leaving the chute 68 passes onto a wide, endless belt 71. Guide plates 72 form narrowing channels over the wide belt and move the plasticware into a more compact arrangement. Next the plasticware is transferred onto a plurality of parallel lower wire mesh belts 73, and is carried into the washer 24. The washer is best shown in FIGURES 1B and 14l6. It includes an enclosure 74 having an inlet opening 75 and an outlet opening 76. An endless wire mesh cover belt 77 overlies the lower wire mesh belts and is spaced therefrom a distance approximately equal to twice the diameter or length of the average piece of plasticware. This spacing is not critical but is provided to allow the plasticware to be tumbled and displaced between the belts in a manner to be described.

Dividing plates 78 are interposed between each of the lower wire mesh belts to separate the enclosure into longitudinal compartments. It is also realized, however, that should the plasticware be admitted to the washed without being sorted these dividing plates may be removed and a single compartment extending the width of the enclosure may be used. A set of upper spray nozzles 80 are arranged in longitudinally offset relation to a set of lower spray nozzles 81. As shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, spray nozzles 39 are mounted on dividing plates 78 for lateral spraying. The upper spray nozzles are also ofi'set transversely with respect to the lower spray nozzles as shown in FIGURE 15. The spray nozzles are connected to a high pressure water supply line 83 and emit a high velocity spray which displaces and tumbles the dishes vigorously throughout their passage between the lower wire mesh belts 73 and the upper cover belt 77. Detergent may be added to the water in the supply line and due to the high velocity will effect a quick and efficient cleaning of the entire surfaces of the plasticware. Particularly is this so due to the vigorous tumbling caused by the offset relationship of the spray nozzles. To prevent the plasticware from being moved longitudinally of the belts, however, a plurality of transverse plates 84 are fastened perpendicularly to them in a conventional manner.

The plasticware leaving the lower wire mesh belts 73 tumble onto a series of inclined overlapping belts 86 in the rinsing section of the washer. At a first rising station, the plasticware are rinsed by low velocity but high volume, recirculated, nondetergent water emitted from sets of nozzles 87 that are supplied from a water line 88 and a tank (not shown). The first rinsing station is followed by two similar rinsing station Which utilize hot tap water of moderately high velocity and of relatively low volume. As the plasticware tumble from one belt to another they are inverted so that all surfaces are reached by the rinse water.

Upon leaving the rinse section the plasticware are tumbled onto a set of discharge belts 90 to remove entrapped water and then pass beneath a set of air nozzles 91 connected to a source of heated air, not shown. This portion of the washer constitutes a dryer and is required only where immediate use of the plasticware is required, since the plasticware may be air dried if allowed to set.

The plasticware then passes out of the enclosure 74 through the outlet opening 76 and is transferred to a takeaway conveyor 92. The plasticware is then collected in baskets 93 as shown in FIGURE 18.

OPERATION The operation of the entire system and each component should be readily apparent. Trays of plasticware, debris, flatware and heavy breakable tableware are dumped into the water in the weight sorter 20. The circulation of the water carries the light items, such as the plasticware and debris, over the weir in the center wall 30 whereas the heavy items are removed by the endless screen belt 33. The heavy dishes and flatware are separated at the fiatware sorter 21 whereas the plasticware andv debris that are removed from the weight sorter by the endless screen belt 34 are separated at the debris sorter 22. The plasticware is then carried to the size sorter 23 and then into the washer 24. In the washer the plasticware is vigorously tumbled and scrubbed by the high velocity detergent sprays and passes to the rinse section. In the rinse section the plasticware is flooded with a high volume of water to remove any detergent remaining on the surfaces. Finally the plasticware is dried by the hot air from the nozzles 91 and is collected in the basket 93.

It should also be apparent that the system provides a unique and efiicient manner of handling a wide assortment of tableware and its components are particularly well suited for handling plasticware.

In view of this disclosure variations and modifications may be readily evident and therefore the inventions are to be limited only by the scope and interpretation of the accompanied claims.

Having completed a detailed description of the invention so that those skilled in the art could practice the same, I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning plasticware comprising an enclosure, means for conveying the plasticware through said enclosure in random orientation, longitudinal dividing means running the entire length of said enclosure and transverse dividing means mounted on said conveying means for providing isolated compartments Within said enclosure, restricting means mounted above said conveying means, and means for supplying a high velocity spray through said conveying and restricting means from outside thereof with sufficient force to lift the plasticware off said conveying means and displace it in a tumbling manner within said isolated compartments so that all sides of the plasticware are exposed to said high velocity sprays.

2. Apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said restrictmg means is an endless movable belt.

3. Apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said high velocity spray means include spray nozzles mounted above and below said restricting and conveying means respectively as well as on said longitudinal dividing means.

4. Apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said conveying means includes a plurality of inclined endless belts in overlapping arrangement whereby the plasticware is tumbled as it falls from one belt to another.

5. Apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said restricting means is an endless movable belt which extends only partially along the length of said conveying means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 25,421 7/1963 Nolte 134-72 XR 448,895 3/1891 Van Kannel 134-68 XR 1,354,049 9/1920 Linton 134-68 1,943,775 1/1934 Taylor 13472 XR 2,472,794 6/1949 Cothran 134-68 XR 3,291,143 12/1966 Huddle l3468 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. l34-63, 131 

